Katherina Olschbaur: Vulnerability, Power & the Psychology of Contemporary Painting
About this episode
In this episode, Chris Stafford interviews Katherina Olschbaur about her life, artistic evolution, and the emotional depth of her contemporary paintings.
In this powerful and intimate episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with Austrian contemporary artist Katherina Olschbaur for a biographical conversation about her life, creative evolution, and the emotional force behind her large-scale figurative paintings. Known for her psychologically charged works that blur the boundaries between vulnerability and strength, Olschbaur has established herself as a compelling voice in contemporary European painting. Born in Austria, living in New York and now exhibiting internationally, Katherina Olschbaur creates raw, dreamlike compositions that explore identity, human connection, power, intimacy, and the subconscious. Her paintings often depict intertwined figures suspended in ambiguous spaces—scenes that feel both tender and unsettling. In this episode, she shares the personal history that shaped her visual language, how growing up in Austria influenced her worldview, and the pivotal moments that defined her path as an artist. This is not a technical deep dive into materials or process—it is a human story. Chris and Katherina explore the emotional courage required to pursue a life in contemporary art, the psychological…
More episodes of AART
- Painting Reality: The Trompe l’Oeil World of Natalie Featherston
- Canadian Hyperrealism Artist Erin Rothstein on Process, Inspiration & Career
- Building Beauty: The Life and Art of Concrete Artist Liz Nichols
- Lighting the Way: Nica Fazio’s Journey Through Film, Television, and Persistence
- Drawing a Life in Color: Megan Seiter on Art, Patience, and Process
- Jazzy Kettenacker: Cutting a Life in Film — A Personal Journey of Art and Identity
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the AART podcast page.